Following a traffic encounter, the two men exchanged words from their cars. Sawyer told Tirado he’d shoot him. Tirado then declared he had a gun, made a motion as if to reach for one and raised his hand in a threatening manner.

Sawyer then fired twice – one bullet hitting Tirado, who managed to drive on for three blocks before succumbing.

The grand jury said those facts add up to an act of self-defense.

Really?

Sawyer had been drinking that night. He was clearly as culpable as Tirado in the initial aggressive behavior and verbal exchanges.

But, most repugnantly, Sawyer then drove home without alerting authorities for 19 hours – claiming he didn’t learn Tirado had been shot until the next day.

All the better, a cynic might note, to defeat a meaningful blood-alcohol test.

Regardless, he disgraced his badge and dishonored his fellow members of the force that night.